Tampa Bay gives Steven Stamkos $37.5 million

NHL

All-Star centerSteven Stamkos signed a five-year, $37.5 million contract with the Lightning on Tuesday, two months after helping Tampa Bay make a surprising run to the Eastern Conference finals.

"I never even thought of looking anywhere else," Stamkos said, adding that contract negotiations were a learning experience.

The Markham, Ontario, native played in all 164 games the past two seasons for the Lightning, leading the NHL with 96 goals. He has recorded 186 points and 41 power-play goals while averaging more than 20 minutes of ice time per game during that span.

Stamkos, 21, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2008 draft, had 45 goals - 17 on the power play - and 91 points last season.

The Devil you say! Peter DeBoer has been named New Jersey's head coach. DeBoer, 43, spent the past three seasons as the head coach of the Panthers, with whom he was 103-107-36. He was fired after failing to lead the team to the playoffs during his tenure.

Sharks sign center: San Jose signed center Andrew Murray to a one-year contract. Murray, 29, had eight points (four goals, four assists) in 29 games with the Blue Jackets last season. He also missed 31 games because of two separate injuries.

Tampa Bay Lightning's Steven Stamkos, left, celebrates the second period goal of Steve Downie (9) in a 4-3 win over the St. Louis Blues in an NHL hockey game Sunday, Feb. 6, 2011, in Tampa, Fla.

Tampa Bay Lightning's Steven Stamkos, left, celebrates the second period goal of Steve Downie (9) in a 4-3 win over the St. Louis Blues in an NHL hockey game Sunday, Feb. 6, 2011, in Tampa, Fla.

Photo: Mike Carlson, AP

Photo: Mike Carlson, AP

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Tampa Bay Lightning's Steven Stamkos, left, celebrates the second period goal of Steve Downie (9) in a 4-3 win over the St. Louis Blues in an NHL hockey game Sunday, Feb. 6, 2011, in Tampa, Fla.

Tampa Bay Lightning's Steven Stamkos, left, celebrates the second period goal of Steve Downie (9) in a 4-3 win over the St. Louis Blues in an NHL hockey game Sunday, Feb. 6, 2011, in Tampa, Fla.

Photo: Mike Carlson, AP

Tampa Bay gives Steven Stamkos $37.5 million

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Briefly: Red Wings goaltender Chris Osgood, 38, announced his retirement after being sidelined by injury most of last season. ... The Ducks agreed to a three-year contract with center Andrew Cogliano, avoiding arbitration with their offseason acquisition. ... The Sabres avoided going to arbitration by re-signing defenseman Andrej Sekera to a four-year, $11 million contract.